04 Hemi - Ticks from motor?

[Big Chief]

Hello... First post here.

Proud owner of a 2004 Ram Hemi 5.7L. Original owner with about 60K miles. Truck has been great since day one.

I started to notice a "tick" from the motor recently. It might have been there all this time, but I just started to notice it. Seems to be coming from the throttle body area.

The plastic intake setup (stock) was removed years ago in favor of a KN intake, so the throttle body area is very accessible, which is why I mention it. There are no other mods to the truck other than an exhaust system.

The "tick" is consistant at any RPM and present w/ or w/o AC on.

Thoughts? <-- Or am I going crazy?

 

[HLram]

May be a new exhaust leak at the manifold. Probably just the infamous "hemi tick" though. Have you recently changed brands or weights of oil? With it being at all engine speeds doesn't sound like my hemi tick does. Mine stops, or at least is not loud enough to hear anymore, once it's revved up. Seems strange that it would just start after that many miles. Mine has done it since brand new.

 

[smiley]

What oil and filter do you use typically?

 

[Big Chief]

I'm actually due for an oil change... there isnt anything new done recently.

Here's my slight problem... In the last 3-4 years I have not been driving the truck often. My work commute is far so my wife sort of took over the truck. In the past month, I started driving it regularly again, which is when I noticed it. I actually can't remember if the tick was always there before though.

When I say its consistent... I mean it does not get any louder when you rev the motor. Its a slight tone that you can really only hear on the outside if you stand by the hood/fenders.

IMO, it seems normal... I was just looking for a 2nd opinion from the HEMI owners.

NOTE: In the early years I always used synthetic oil... these past few years I started using 10w30 (florida). I think on my next change, I'll go back to synthetic.

 

[smiley]

I'm actually due for an oil change... there isnt anything new done recently.

Here's my slight problem... In the last 3-4 years I have not been driving the truck often. My work commute is far so my wife sort of took over the truck. In the past month, I started driving it regularly again, which is when I noticed it. I actually can't remember if the tick was always there before though.

When I say its consistent... I mean it does not get any louder when you rev the motor. Its a slight tone that you can really only hear on the outside if you stand by the hood/fenders.

IMO, it seems normal... I was just looking for a 2nd opinion from the HEMI owners.

NOTE: In the early years I always used synthetic oil... these past few years I started using 10w30 (florida). I think on my next change, I'll go back to synthetic.

I would not use 10W-30 in a today's Hemi even if it is not one with MDS.

Try using an oil that is more liquid at startup such as 5W-30 synthetic something of high quality (not Mobil 1 - I'll explain below) Buy a quality filter OEM grade or higher (not FRAM) If the tick does not go away try adding some Lucas Oil Stabilizer for Synthetic and see what if it does.

Your truck calls for 5W-30 in the manual but you could also try some 5W-20 to rid it of the tick. These are my thoughts and on my 05 Durango with Hemi what made ticking stop was switching from Mobil 1 to Valvoline Synthetic.

 

[HLram]

ya know, I always run Amsoil in my truck, but this last oil change i was in south texas and the shop didnt have Amsoil so i had them put Mobil 1 in it. And my tick is louder now! I thought about it being the Mobil 1, but its supposed to be so good that I discarded that thought. So, maybe I am NOT hearing things and my truck actually does like Amsoil and not Mobil 1. Thanks for that tidbit of info. May have too just carry some Amsoil in my toolbox for when I am away from home and need an oil change.

 

[smiley]

Yeah I am not hating on Mobil 1 but in my vehicles both the Journey and my my current and last HEMI both ticked when I used Mobil and don't with Amsoil and Valvoline. I only use synthetic so can't speak for conventional.


$miley

 

[Hemitom]

Right now the mileage on my truck sits at 98,200 miles. for approx 85% of those miles has been Running Amsoil 5w30or 5w20. the other times its had another brand of oil. its always had a synthetic oil in it except the first 5k miles.

with that said i could tell when the other synthetic was used. it made a lot more noise.

 

[Hemi450hp]

As fasr as oil weights go, in colder months I would use 5w20...in the summer months, I would run 5w30. Your tick does sound like the standard hemi tick that is so common, so give the new oil weight a shot and see if it helps.

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

If you notice the tick driver side rear your ok im willing to bet 99% its just the standard hemi tick in the valve train. When you change the oil pay attention to if there is any metal shavings to point towards something more serious but highly doubt it.

 

[OilCityOperator]

Changed my oil today, went from 5w30 mobil 1 full synthetic to Amsoil 5w30 full synthetic my tick went away I'm very happy with it

amsoil from now on

 

[smiley]

Changed my oil today, went from 5w30 mobil 1 full synthetic to Amsoil 5w30 full synthetic my tick went away I'm very happy with it

amsoil from now on

Not surprised honestly.
Hemi + Mobile 1 = Tick